Urology Flashcards
What drug class is Doxazosin?
Alpha Blocker
What are Alpha Blockers indicated for?
BPH symptoms Resistant Hypertension (add on treatment)
How do Alpha Blockers work?
Highly selective for alpha 1 adrenoceptor
Receptors found in blood vessels, smooth muscle, urinary tract
Blockers cause relaxation, vasodilatation and a fall in blood pressure
Reduced resistance to bladder outflow
What are the side effects of Alpha Blockers?
Postural Hypotension
Dizziness
Syncope
What are the contraindications of Alpha Blockers?
Patients with existing postural hypotension
Important drug interactions of Alpha Blockers?
May get first dose hypotension - so omit a few others antihypertensive drugs for a few days
In particular Beta Blockers due to inhibition of refelx tachycardia
What drug class is Finasteride?
5a (alpha) - reductase inhibitors
What are 5a - reductase inhibitors indicated for?
BPH - second line
How do 5a - reductase inhibitors work?
Improve lower urinary tract symptoms
Reduce prostate gland size
Inhibit intracellular enzyme 5a-reductase
This enzyme usually activates testosterone to its more active form
The active form usually stimulates active growth
What are the side effects of 5a - reductase inhibitors?
Impotence
Reduced libido
Gynaecomastia
Hair growth
What are the contraindications of 5a - reductase inhibitors?
Pregnancy - otherwise abnormal male foetal development of genitalia
Important drug interactions of 5a - reductase inhibitors?
None
